The Golden Rendezvous

The Golden Rendezvous is a novel written by Scottish author Alistair MacLean, and was first published in 1962. One of MacLean’s most popular works, it combines mystery, suspense, action, clever bluffs and double bluffs, with MacLean's trademark self-deprecating wit.

Plot introduction

Aboard the cargo vessel converted into a luxury cruise ship SS Campari somewhere in the Caribbean, all is not well. For Johnny Carter, the Chief Officer, the voyage has already begun badly; but it's only when the Campari sails that evening, after a succession of delays attributable to sabotage that he realizes something is seriously wrong. A member of the crew is suddenly missing and the unsuccessful stem-to-stern search only increases tension. Then violence erupts and suddenly the whole ship is endangered by a master criminal whose intention is not a simple hijacking and ransoming of the wealthy hostages on board. Exactly what his goal is forms part of the mystery.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

Golden Rendezvous appeared in cinema in a 1977 release directed by Ashley Lazarus. The protagonist, John Carter, was played by Richard Harris, romantic interest Susan Beresford by Ann Turkel, and with David Janssen and Burgess Meredith in supporting roles.

The film plot follows that of the book for almost the entire story; however a completely different ending was scripted for the film, resulting in the final fifteen minutes leading to a conclusion that bore only a superficial resemblance to the book plot.